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Programmed cell death in procyclic form Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense --identification of differentially expressed

S C Welburn1, S Lillico, N B Murphy

  • 1Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. sue.welburn@tsetse.demon.co.uk

Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
|May 4, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified genes involved in programmed cell death in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense using Randomly Amplified Differential Expressed Sequence-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RADES-PCR). This study reveals key genetic factors in apoptosis for these primitive eukaryotes.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Eukaryotic Cell Biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a fundamental biological process observed across eukaryotes.
  • Trypanosomes, including Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, are single-celled eukaryotes with a complex life cycle and susceptibility to induced cell death.
  • Gene expression changes are known to accompany cell death in these parasites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gene expression changes during Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced apoptosis in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
  • To identify novel endogenous genes implicated in the cellular death pathway of trypanosomatids.
  • To explore the evolutionary origins of apoptosis in primitive eukaryotes.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of apoptosis in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense using Concanavalin A (Con A).
  • Application of Randomly Amplified Differential Expressed Sequence-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RADES-PCR) for differential gene display.
  • Cloning and sequencing of differentially expressed cDNA products.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-two differentially expressed sequence tags were identified during Con A-induced cell death.
  • These represent the first endogenous genes linked to apoptosis in trypanosomatids.
  • The findings suggest a conserved, ancestral 'proto-apoptosis' mechanism in single-celled organisms.

Conclusions:

  • Gene expression plays a crucial role in Con A-induced apoptosis in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
  • RADES-PCR is an effective method for identifying novel genes involved in parasite cell death.
  • The study provides evidence for an ancient evolutionary basis of apoptotic pathways in eukaryotes.

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